Mean male muttering: Cross Laksham Rekha and face the consequences

08 January, 2013

Some politicians and spiritual leaders have started blaming women for becoming 'rapeable' either due to 'crossing the limits', Laksham Rekha as they call it, or behaving and dressing like 'sluts'. Are they saying that women should remain within some arbitrarily male-prescribed limits and confines or be ready to be raped, many wonder?

THE SELF-PROCLAIMED god-man Aasaram Bapu is reported to have said that the recent gang rape victim in Delhi was as guilty as those responsible for the horrific sexual crime against her. Some other religious leaders have blamed the modern women dresses for sexual provocation among males. All these statements amount to the excuse ‘call a woman slut and rape her' to teach her a lesson to remain within 'Lakshman Rekha'.

All these remarks are derogatory towards women and exertion of unlawful dominance of the males over females. This reflects the mean male mentality to shift the blame on the victim. Earlier, there used to be an adage 'call someone a dog and kill him' now it is getting replaced with 'call a woman slut and rape her'. A similar remark in Canada had led to 'slutwalks' throughout the world as protests against a derogatory remark about women by police personnel.

Meanwhile, in many cities; schools, colleges and private coaching institutes have started the martial art classes for girls for self-defence. Suddenly, the martial art classes have become a new male-dominated roaring business. There is news about someone inventing and marketing ladies' sandals that give the assailant electric shock on striking as a new weapon for self-defence.

Many lawmakers themselves are facing the rape charges and must be happy that many politicians and spiritual leaders are supporting them in their need of the hour by blaming women for having invited rape by crossing the ‘Laksham Rekha’.